Finding Giant Pandas in the United States

Despite their adorable looks and mass appeal, there are currently only 13 giant pandas in the United States. All of them are on loan from China. Find out how this agreement began, and where you can visit these beautiful, beloved animals in the US. Then, learn a little about the giant pandas you may find on your visit, and get advice from Traveling Moms on how to have the best viewing experience possible.

Finding Giant Pandas in the United States

I can’t remember when my daughter’s obsession with Giant Pandas began. Now at 8-years-old, she’ll tell anyone who knows her knows that they are her favorite animal. Her twin sister and four-year-old brother like them too (because who doesn’t?!), but Avery could talk about pandas for days. And sometimes she does.

In 2014 we took a trip to Washington, D.C., after my girls studied our nation’s capital in school. It wasn’t until we were on our way to the National Zoo that I remembered Avery would get to see a giant panda in person! She was absolutely giddy, especially to see “baby” Bao Bao.

In 2015, we visited the San Diego Zoo during a Southern California vacation. San Diego has been known for its Giant Panda exhibit for decades. It was a bit anti-climactic for all of us because the pandas were pretty inactive (and somewhat difficult to see), but somehow it still felt really special to see such amazing creatures again.

The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is one of four zoos in the U.S. with Giant Pandas. Photo: Jennifer Kaufman

Then in 2016, we took a quick trip to Atlanta to watch my beloved Braves play one last game at Turner Field. One night I realized something: In 3 years, we had unintentionally visited three of the four zoos in the United States that are home to giant pandas. A quick Google search reminded me that the final zoo we’d need to visit to complete the circuit was just 7 hours away from Cincinnati. I’m pretty sure a trip to Memphis got moved up on the calendar.

Bamboo the panda is one of several characters available to meet throughout the San Diego Zoo. Photo: Jennifer Kaufman

Why are these zoos a big deal?

The first giant pandas to live in the United States were a gift to President and Mrs. Nixon from China in 1972. They lived in the National Zoo for more than 20 years before they died. In 1984, China began loaning giant pandas to other countries (for a price).

Today, thirteen giant pandas reside in four US zoos. All are on loan from China. These zoos work closely with other panda centers, collaborating on research, reproductive, and conservation efforts. At least 18 giant panda cubs have been born in the United States, a dozen of which returned to China by the age of four to be integrated into breeding programs.

Because of collective efforts around the world, the status of the giant panda is no longer “Endangered.” In November 2016, the classification became “Vulnerable” – a huge cause for celebration! I knew that the world was working hard, but I had no idea so much progress had been made. We talked in the past about the bald eagle’s removal from the Endangered Species list, but both of my daughters felt an extra sense of pride hearing the news about pandas. After all, they spent so much time with them in the past few years.

Finding Giant Pandas in The United States

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta, Georgia) is home to 19-year-olds Lun Lun and Yang Yang, both born in China and brought to Atlanta in 1999. Lun Lun has given birth to seven cubs, including yet unnamed twin girls born in September 2016. The babies are expected to be on exhibit at Zoo Atlanta in early 2017. Lun Lun’s previous set of twins, our sweet friends Mei Lun and Mei Huan (born July 5, 2013), returned to China earlier this month. Zoo Atlanta is open 363 days a year; find admission details here.

Memphis Zoo

Memphis Zoo (Memphis, Tennessee)has two giant pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le. They arrived at the Memphis Zoo in 2003, and in 2013 the zoo renewed their 10-year lease with China. Ya Ya and Le Le have not yet had any reproductive success, but the Memphis Zoo continues to work with other organizations to learn more about how to care for the species. The Memphis Zoo is open 365 days a year; find hours and ticket information here.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo (San Diego, California) is perhaps the most well-known zoo in the United States. They have one of the longest-running panda programs, with six giant panda cubs born in their breeding program. Five of the pandas are thriving back in China, and are visited by the San Diego panda research team intermittently. Currently, two giant pandas are on exhibit almost every day. Bai Yun was born in China in 1991, and has been a huge asset to the zoo’s breeding program.

Xiao Liwu was born in San Diego in July 2012. The zoo’s third Giant Panda, Gao Gao, has been in San Diego since 2003. He was rescued from the wild in China in 1992, and was unable to be successfully released. He spent many years entertaining visitors to the zoo, but is now kept “backstage” due to age-related health issues. Guests can keep up with Gao Gao – and all of San Diego’s giant pandas – on the zoo’s panda blog. The San Diego Zoo is open 365 days each year; the zoo’s visitor page is helpful, but but sure to look into other Southern California options such as CityPASS or the Go San Diego card.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Smithsonian’s National Zoo (Washington, D. C.) is where the nation’s love for giant pandas began. Today, three pandas call the National Zoo home. Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, both of whom came from China in December 2000, have had 5 cubs. Bao Bao, born August 2013, is preparing for her return to China in late Winter 2017. The latest cub born at the National Zoo is Bei Bei, who celebrated his first birthday on August 22, 2016.

Bei Bei underwent emergency bowel surgery in November 2016, but is expected to be back on exhibit very quickly. During his recovery, you can still see Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in their outdoor exhibits. Admission to the National Zoo is free.

Bao Bao plays with his mother in their indoor exhibit at the National Zoo. Photo: Jennifer Kaufman

Tips for Your Visit

Now that you’re ready to head to these zoos and check out the giant Pandas, here are a few tips on how to have the best experience possible:

Arrive early.

Every one of these zoos lists this strategy for optimal giant panda viewing. The giant panda exhibits can draw large crowds and long lines. Interestingly, we spent nearly 45 minutes in Zoo Atlanta’s panda exhibit (on 4th of July weekend, no less!) and saw just a handful of other people pass through.

I would still suggest arriving early and heading straight for the pandas. (Come to think of it, this is sound advice for just about any travel. We’ve discovered, thanks to our early risers, that the early bird really does get the proverbial worm at most tourist destinations!)

Know where to go.

The National Zoo and the San Diego Zoo are among the largest in the world, and the latter can be somewhat difficult to navigate. Most of the pandas have an option to be in indoor or outdoor exhibits. Check each website or ask upon arrival to see where the giant pandas are expected to be during your visit.

Temper expectations.

It’s basically a scientific fact. Giant pandas are too cute for words. That said, they do spend an average of 12 hours per day sitting down and eating up to 80 pounds of bamboo, and 10-16 hours per day sleeping. If you do the math, that doesn’t leave very much time at all for frolicking about their habitats. On at least one visit to the giant pandas they have been… a tad underwhelming.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s always incredible to see them so close, given their scarcity, but sometimes they really just don’t move a muscle. Then again, watching Atlanta’s twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan play continuously for the better part of an hour – on tire swings, wrestling with one another, and doing somersaults – was one of the the most precious things I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, the odds of seeing such antics are not in guests’ favor.

About The Author

Jennifer Kaufman is a stay-at-home mom of three travel-crazy kids: 8-year-old twin girls, and their 4-year-old little brother. Commonly known as “that Disney family”, she and her husband have discovered that the very things that draw them to Disney destinations – the story, the attention to detail, and the “little things” – can often be found anywhere they look. She has always had an insurmountable case of wanderlust, daydreaming of what it would be like to pick up the family and move to Europe for a few years, or perhaps live off of a boat for a while. As she waits for such a grand adventure, she has dedicated herself to exploring the stories and details wherever she travels, and finding the joy in the everyday moments at home. Jennifer and her family can be found in articles, videos, and podcast episodes at The Delightful Life.